The Book of  Acts

Acts tells the story of the early Christian church and how Christianity spread to other parts of the world. It covers the first years of the Christian church. Most people who study the Bible feel that Jesus' disciple, Luke, was the author of Acts. They feel that the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts were meant to be together. They also feel that Luke may have planned to write a third book.

The 2 important people in the Book of Acts are Peter and Paul.  Some important events that happen in Acts are the coming of the Holy Spirit, the persecution of Christians, the conversion of Saul (Paul), and the spread of Christianity to other parts of the world.

Acts 22


Paul was attacked by a mob in Jerusalem. Now, he is speaking to them.
 

Men, brothers, and fathers, listen to me. I will defend myself.
[1] Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.


The crowd heard that he was speaking in the Hebrew language. They kept quiet while he continued.
[2] (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
 

I am a Jewish man. I was born in the city of Tarsus in the area of Cilicia.  I was taught in Jerusalem from the Jewish leader named Gamaliel.  I learned the law of our Jewish fathers. I have been a strong believer in God, like you are today.
[3] I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

I hunted down and killed men and women for worshiping Jesus Christ. I put people in prison for worshiping Jesus. The high priest and the elders can tell you this is true. They gave me letters to take to Damascus so that I could find Christians there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
[4] And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
[5] As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Here is what happened. I was on my way to Damascus.  It was about noon. Suddenly, there was a big light shining around me.
[6] And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.


I fell down on the ground.  I heard a voice that said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
[7] And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?


I asked who it was.  He told me he was Jesus of Nazareth, the one I was persecuting.
[8] And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.


The people with me saw the light, too. They were afraid.  But they did not hear the voice that spoke to me.
[9] And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.


I asked Jesus what I should do.  He told me to get up and go to Damascus.  In Damascus, I would be told what I should do.
[10] And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.


I couldn't see because the light had been so bright. I had to be led by the people with me.  I arrived in Damascus.
[11] And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.


A man named Ananias came to me.  He was a good man who obeyed the law. The Jews in Damascus said good things about him  He came to me and told me to see again and then I could see. 
[12] And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
[13] Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.


Ananias said that God had chosen me.  God wanted me to know His will and see Jesus. God wanted me to hear His voice.  He wanted me to tell everyone what I have seen and heard.
[14] And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
[15] For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.


Ananias asked me why I was waiting. I should get up and be baptized to wash away my sins. I should call on the name of the Lord.
[16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.


When I went back to Jerusalem, I was praying in the temple. I had a vision and saw Jesus telling me to hurry and leave Jerusalem. He said the other people in Jerusalem won't listen to what I say about Him.
[17] And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
[18] And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.


I told Jesus that the people know that I beat and put in prison everyone who believed in Him.  When Stephen was being stoned to death, I was there. I was standing there and  agreed with his death.  I held the clothes of the people who killed him.
[19] And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
[20] And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.


Jesus told me to leave. He said He would send me far away to the Gentiles.
[21] And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.



The crowd wants to kill Paul.


The people listened to what Paul said.  Then they yelled to take him away and kill him.  They said he should not even be allowed to live.
[22] And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.


They yelled and tore their clothes and threw dust in the air.
[23] And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,


The chief captain gave the order to take Paul into the castle.  He ordered him to be beaten so he could find out why the crowd was against him.
[24] The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.


As they were tying him up, Paul asked the soldier if it was legal for them to beat a Roman citizen without a trial.
[25] And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?



Paul lets the chief captain know that he is a Roman citizen.


The soldier heard Paul and then he told the chief captain to be careful because Paul was a Roman citizen.
[26] When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

The chief captain asked Paul if he was a Roman citizen. Paul said yes.
[27] Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.


The chief captain said he had paid a lot of money to become a free Roman.  Paul said he was born free.
[28] And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.



The soldiers who were going to beat Paul left quickly. The chief captain was afraid, too, when he found out Paul was a Roman and they had tied him up.
[29] Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.


The next day, the chief captain wanted to know for sure why the Jews accused Paul.  They untied him and ordered all the chief priests and the council to come to court.  They brought Paul down, and he sat in front of them.
[30] On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
 

Acts 23

Paul speaks to the Jewish council of priests and elders.
 

Paul talked to the council directly. He told them that he has lived with a clean conscience before God all the time until today.
[1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.


The high priest was named Ananias.  He ordered someone near Paul to hit Paul on the mouth.
[2] And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.


It was against Jewish law to hit someone. Paul said to Ananias that God will punish him because he ordered someone to hit him.  He said Ananias was like a white wall (meant he was a hypocrite for ordering someone else to break the law).
[3] Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?


People that were standing nearby asked Paul if he knew he was insulting the high priest.
[4] And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?


Paul said he did not know that Ananias was the high priest.  The law said they should not talk against their leader.
[5] Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.


Paul saw that part of the council were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees. He said loudly that he was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. He said the reason he is on trial is because he believes dead people can be alive again.
[6] But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.


When he said that, the Pharisees and Sadducees started to argue. The Sadducees said that there is no resurrection and no angels or spirits.  The Pharisees said there was both.
[7] And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
[8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.



The chief captain rescues Paul from the mob again.


There was a lot of yelling. The Pharisee scribes stood up and said they didn't see anything wrong with Paul. If a spirit or angel had talked to Paul, they didn't want to fight with God.
[9] And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

The arguing got louder. The chief captain was afraid that Paul was going to be pulled into pieces.  He ordered his soldiers to go get him from the crowd by force and bring him to the castle.
[10] And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.



Jesus speaks to Paul.


The next night, Jesus stood by Paul.  He told him to be cheerful. He said that Paul must testify for Him in Rome the same as he testified for Him in Jerusalem.
[11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.



A plot to kill Paul.


The next day, more than 40 of the Jews made a group.  They made a curse or deal. They said they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
[12] And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
[13] And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
 

This group came to the chief priest and elders. They said they have made a curse. They will not eat anything until they have killed Paul.
[14] And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.


They wanted them to tell the chief captain to bring Paul down tomorrow. They should pretend they want to ask him something.  They said they would be ready to kill him when he got close.
[15] Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.


Paul's nephew (his sister's son) heard about this plan.  He went to the castle and told Paul.  Paul called one of the soldiers and told him to take his nephew to the chief captain. He said he has something to tell him.
[16] And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
[17] Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

The soldier took Paul's nephew to the chief captain. The soldier told the chief captain that Paul asked him to bring his nephew to tell him something.
[18] So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

The chief captain led Paul's nephew by the hand to a private spot. He asked him what he wanted to tell him.
[19] Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?


Paul's nephew said that the group of Jews will tell him to bring Paul down to them. They will lie and say that they want to ask him a question.  But he should not do that because there will be more than 40 men waiting to kill Paul. He told him about how they will not eat or drink until they kill Paul.
[20] And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
[21] But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.


The chief caption sent Paul's nephew away. He told him not to tell anyone what he told him.
[22] So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.


The chief captain sends Paul to the governor.


The chief captain called 2 soldiers.  He told them to take Paul to Caesarea.  They should take 200 soldiers on foot, 70 soldiers on horseback, and 200 soldiers with spears. They should leave in the middle of the night and take a horse for Paul to ride.  They should take him safely to the governor.  The governor's name was Felix.
[23] And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
[24] And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.


The chief captain wrote a letter. This is what he wrote:
[25] And he wrote a letter after this manner:

From Claudius Lysias to the governor, Felix. I send greetings.
This man was captured by the Jews. They would have killed him, but I sent an army and rescued him. I rescued him because he is a Roman.
I took him to the Jewish council to see what they were accusing him of.
I understood it had to do with Jewish law, but it was not a crime worthy of death or prison.
When I heard that the Jews were planning to ambush him, I sent him to you right away.  I told his accusers to make their case to you.
Goodbye.

[26] Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
[27] This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
[28] And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
[29] Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
[30] And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

The soldiers did what the chief captain ordered them to do. They took Paul to Antipatris during the night. The next day, the foot soldiers went back to the castle in Jerusalem. Then the soldiers on horseback took him the rest of the way to Caesarea.
[31] Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
[32] On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

When they arrived in Caesarea, they gave the letter to the governor. Paul went in front of the governor.
[33] Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.


The governor read the letter. He asked Paul which province he was from and found out he was from Cilicia.
[34] And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;


Felix told Paul that when the people accusing him come, he will listen to what he has to say.  He gave the order to keep Paul in Herod's judgment hall.
[35] I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
 

Acts 24


Paul is brought before Felix the governor.


Five days later, the high priest, Ananias, came to Caesaria. He brought with him elders and a man named Tertullus. Tertullus was an orator or lawyer. He did the talking in court.
[1] And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.


When it was his time to speak, Tertullus gave the case against Paul.  He said this:

Felix, you are noble. We are thankful that our area has peace because you are good.
[2] And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
[3] We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

I ask that you hear what I say.  We feel that Paul is a troublemaker among the Jews in the world. He is the ringleader of the group of Nazarenes.
[4] Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
[5] For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

We captured him because he was going to do something bad at the temple.  We were going to judge him by our laws. But the chief captain, Lysias, came and took him away from us by force.
[6] Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
[7] But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,


Lysias ordered the people who accused Paul to come to you so that you can decide. So, we are here to accuse him.
[8] Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

The Jews all agreed with Tertullus. 
[9] And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

Then Felix told Paul to speak.  Paul said that he knew Felix had been a judge for many years. He said he will be happy to answer for himself.
[10] Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:


To be clear, I was only in Jerusalem for 12 days. The Jews did not see me arguing with anyone in the temple or starting trouble in the synagogues or the city.  They can't prove anything they are accusing me of.
[11] Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
[12] And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
[13] Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.


They think the way I believe is wrong, But I worship the same God as my ancestors. I believe the Jewish laws and the prophets.  I also believe that God will raise the just and the unjust from the dead.
[14] But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
[15] And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.


I am sure of that, and I try my best not to offend God or other people.
[16] And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.


I was gone for many years, then I came to bring offerings to the temple and money for poor people.
[17] Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.


Some Jews from Asia found me in the temple. I was purified. I was not with a crowd, and there was no trouble.
[18] Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.


Those Jews should have come and talked to you if they had anything to say against me.
[19] Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.


The people who are here were there when I was judged by the council. If they know of any bad thing I did, they should say it now.
[20] Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,


The only thing is that I said in court that I believed in the resurrection of the dead.  That is why I am here in front of you today.
[21] Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.


Felix heard what Paul said. He knew about what Jesus had taught. He postponed making a decision. He said they will wait and talk to Lysias the chief captain.
[22] And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.


Felix put a soldier in charge of Paul. He did not order Paul to be locked up and said that his friends could visit him.
[23] And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.


In a few days, Felix and his wife, Drusilla came to see Paul.  Drusilla was Jewish.  Felix sent for Paul and listened to him talk about his faith in Jesus Christ.
[24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.


Paul talked about obeying God's laws and behaving well.  He also talked about how sinful people will be judged by God. Felix was afraid.  Felix sent Paul back and said he would call for him later when it was convenient.
[25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.


Felix was hoping that Paul would try to bribe him with money to let him go.  So, Felix sent for Paul often and talked to him.
[26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.


Two years later, Porcius Festus took Felix' place as governor.  Felix kept Paul in jail because he wanted to keep the Jews happy.
[27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.